Now that the WWE has released 9 wrestlers this week (with more probably to come), one has to wonder about the future of the brand extension. It's obvious that the recent brand-only PPVs have been, well, flops. Could Vince be rethinking the whole thing or is this just another way to make space for newer, and often, "greener", guys?

This could be a signal that he's making room to get the brands back together. However, while I know several here are ready for the brand extension to end, I would be upset about it. I still dig the two brands, and wouldn't exactly be thrilled about them coming back as one roster.

It may also just be a sign of the times. WWE isn't really making money hand over fist anymore, and things have to change. The buyrates for the last two PPVs were, I believe, the two lowest buyrates in WWE PPV history, and that had to have scared Vince's wallet. They've cut back on house shows. Back in 2001, I went to a WWF house show at the local RBC Center, and it was a great production. Big lighting setup, fireworks, the whole shebang. The last time I went, they had no fireworks, and the only lights they used were two spotlights from the top of the arena. They're coming back to Raleigh in November, and they aren't even going to the 20,000 seat RBC Center. Instead, they're saving some money, and going to the much (much, much, MUCH) smaller Convention Center.

The one thing WWE has proved to be good at over the past few years is conserving some money. This could just be them trying to stretch they're wallets as far as possible.

I wonder how much of this housecleaning has to do with the new man in charge of talent, Johnny Ace? It's like in sports, when a new GM takes over and oftentimes cleans house on the players acquired or drafted by the previous regime. Maybe Ace wants to put his stamp on the talent department.

Well, the latest spate of cuts have been performers who aren't exactly getting all that much screen-time, anyways. I guess this isn't so important if they're cutting-back on house shows (less people needed due to less work) and focusing on television (where there's such a limited amount of air-time to go around.

What does raise question, though, is why they're bringing-in all these new workers. Unless it's a case of newer workers costing way less money, I don't see how hiring new people to replace the recently cut is that much of an economic edge.

But, in the end, I won't exactly be missing any sleep about these recent losses.

Originally posted by geemoneyI wonder how much of this housecleaning has to do with the new man in charge of talent, Johnny Ace? It's like in sports, when a new GM takes over and oftentimes cleans house on the players acquired or drafted by the previous regime. Maybe Ace wants to put his stamp on the talent department.

I have to agree with this idea. How much of a coincidence is it that a lower mid-card purge occurs within 2 weeks of Pat Patterson leaving and the reigns being placed in Johnny Ace's hands? Also, they might be looking at options none of use considered besides green OVW talent. Perhaps an agreement with a Japanese company. Or, since they have Colon's kid and are pushing him, perhaps an agreement with Puerto Rico. And now, the really far-fetched idea. Vince is entering the twilight years and perhaps he and Linda are ready to cash out. I doubt his kids have the money to buy the parents share of the stock. Perhaps sale of stock will be included in the upcoming TV negotiations (and keeping the stock as the valuable rather than the worthless type) and dumping contracts helps make the company appear more valuable. Very miniscule chance of this, but in other companies, this would be an indicator.

Well, unlike the NFL, the WWE doesn't have that kinda program set up. None of the new kids are coming and learning how to be a face via the west coast offense. I don't agree with all of the cuts espically Test, Gail and Rodney Mack. The new kids minus Cena and Orton aren't anything special and the gimmicks are borderline stupid to offensive, Muslium heels? I just think Vince needs to take a good look around him. The evil forgein gimmicks are not working and the current world champions are costing the company money. I think he needs to really revualte the current decision making process. I think he will alienate more people than help his company.

I really wonder what effect these cuts will have on WWE's house show business. We know that they haven't been pulling in record numbers in terms of attendance at these shows, and wrestlers like Nidia, Stamboli, Kim, Mack, etc. are the guys that usually wrestled on the house shows.

I'm not saying people were coming to see these guys wrestle, but someone has to fill their slots. Are they going to put on less matches, call up developmental guys to fill the slots, or are guys who usually aren't on the road that much going to have to up their schedule?

If it is the latter, I think it'll be good for the house shows in that you don't have as many filler matches- you get guys people actually want to see, instead of mid-card main events.

Originally posted by geemoneyI really wonder what effect these cuts will have on WWE's house show business. We know that they haven't been pulling in record numbers in terms of attendance at these shows, and wrestlers like Nidia, Stamboli, Kim, Mack, etc. are the guys that usually wrestled on the house shows.

I'm not saying people were coming to see these guys wrestle, but someone has to fill their slots. Are they going to put on less matches, call up developmental guys to fill the slots, or are guys who usually aren't on the road that much going to have to up their schedule?

If it is the latter, I think it'll be good for the house shows in that you don't have as many filler matches- you get guys people actually want to see, instead of mid-card main events.

Yeah, I tend to agree with you there. It seems that WWE is not gonna have enough guys to fill all of the TV / house show slots they have without resorting to guys like Snitzky and Heidenreich. And let's face it, maybe you didn't like Test or Stamboli, but aren't they worlds better than any of the most recent newcomers?

Test, Nidia, Kim, and Mack were all trained in OVW and brought up through WWE's developmental system. Palumbo and Johnny Stamboli were trained at the hilariously bad "WCW Power Plant."

Anyway, my point is that this would all be fine and dandy if they were going more in the direction of the past, that being bringing in established indy guys that they know can portray a good character and wrestle a decent match...rather than the musclebound schlubs that they teach a few basic maneuvers to because they have "the look."

So while you're cutting a lot of deadweight, all you're doing is adding even more. WWE needs to really evaluate their developmental system and how they go about recruiting people for it.

Originally posted by BigSteveAnd let's face it, maybe you didn't like Test or Stamboli, but aren't they worlds better than any of the most recent newcomers?

I don't see how they're all that much better, which is really sad considering the amount of experience they have over the new guys.

Originally posted by redsoxnationAnd now, the really far-fetched idea. Vince is entering the twilight years and perhaps he and Linda are ready to cash out. I doubt his kids have the money to buy the parents share of the stock. Perhaps sale of stock will be included in the upcoming TV negotiations (and keeping the stock as the valuable rather than the worthless type) and dumping contracts helps make the company appear more valuable. Very miniscule chance of this, but in other companies, this would be an indicator.

It would make sense if they werent spending $1,000,000 on a TE contestant and also $250,000 on a Diva.I understand that to generate revenue you spend a little but are these 2 forward moving ideas?

Some of the names on that list hadnt really been pushed anyway . Seems weird that 9 recently were let go but as said elsewhere...how many new bosses get rid of percieved deadwood

(edited by PerthHeat on 5.11.04 0821)

(please use /quote, not /endquote, to end quotes - thecubsfan)

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(edited by PerthHeat on 5.11.04 0944)if you cant stand the heat...buy icecream

Originally posted by Packman V2Looks like Rico can be added to the WWE Cutlist.

10 in a week....I can't remember a purge that big since the WCW buyout.

Agreed. That's quite a few indviduals that won't be to happy during Thanksgiving this year and won't have to merry a Christams.

Like I said in the other thread it's sort of like trimming the fat. I guess this could be good for some of the other talent. Just makes me wonder how Sunday Night heAt will be produced now since most of the cuts were on the Raw brand and lower card.

J.J. Dillon: "I'd rather flip burgers at McDonald's than work for Vince McMahon again." July, 3 2004 New Era Of Wrestling

Rico is a suprise.The whole relationship with OVW is so out of whack, the best workers are called up, saddled with lame gimmicks and ultimately squashed (Eugene, Conway, Rico)and the worst workers are called up and pushed (Horshu, Snitsky, Orlando Jones.)

the extension isn't going anywhere. they couldn't cancel it overnight, i think and ultimately business is going pretty good, killing it would harm business.